Directions for weak distempered Christians, to grow up to a confirmed state of grace…

V. Also you may hence perceive, how exceedingly injurious Hypocrites and scandalous Christians are, to the Name of Christ, and Cause of Christianity and Godliness in the world. The blind malicious enemies of Faith and Godliness, instead of judging of them by the sacred Rule, do look only to the Professors, and think of Religion as they think of them. If they see the Professors of Christianity to be covetous, proud, usurpers, time-servers, self-exalters, cruel, schismatical, rebellious; they presently charge all this upon their Religion; and Godliness must bear the blame; when all comes but for want of Godliness and Religion. And all the world hath not done so much against these and all other sins, as Christ hath done. What if Christs Disciples strive who shall be the greatest? Is it long of him, who girdeth himself to wash and wipe their feet? and telleth them, that except they be ⟨p. 175⟩converted, and become as little children, they shall not enter into the Kingdom of God, Mat. 18.3. and telleth them, that though the Kings of the Gentiles do exercise Lordship over them, and they that exercise authority upon them are called Benefactors, yet ye shall not be so, Luk. 22.25, 26. Is it long of him that hath said to the Elders, Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind: neither as being Lords over Gods heritage, but being examples to the flock? Who hath set the Elders such a lesson as you find in Acts 20. & 2 Tim. 4.1, 2, 3. & 1 Tim. 5.17. If any called Christians shall be truly schismatical, factious or turbulent, is it long of him that hath prayed the Father that they may all be One, Joh. 17.21, 22, 23. and hath so vehemently entreated them that they speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among them, and that they be perfectly joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgement,